Monday, January 6

Dare to step out into Chiberia? For tonight’s BCS National Championship Game between Auburn and Florida State, Lillie’s Q chef (and FSU grad) Charlie McKenna is hosting a watch party, and the $40 entry gets you bite-sized portions of shrimp and grits, barbecue, and more, plus two drinks. Tickets are available here.

Tuesday, January 7

Sneak out for a mid-day sake tasting at Roka Akor (456 N. Clark St., River North, 312-477-7652). For $20, you get to sip nine different rice wine varieties selected by experts, then pick your favorite to go with your à la carte meal. $10 of your tasting admission goes to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. The deal’s only available at lunch, though, through Friday.

Saturday, January 11

Cozy up to your favorite comfort foods, sans gluten, at the first in a new monthly series of cooking classes at Bakersfield (330 E. Ogden Ave., Westmont, 630-568-3615). You’ll learn to make teff pancakes, Southern fried chicken with cheddar corn bread, and gluten-free carrot cake, as well as a drink to pair with each dish. Sign up at the restaurant’s website for the $40 class, which starts at 2 p.m. (Gluten-free cooking not your thing? February’s class focuses on healthy Mediterranean eats.)

Sunday, January 12

Set your DVR to record the Food Network’s “Sandwich King” at 9:30 a.m. today—they’ll be airing an episode focusing on the Bomba burger and Bomba pizza (that’s pizza dough puffed up and topped with La Quercia prosciutto and Parmigiano-Reggiano) from Bar Toma (110 E. Pearson St., Gold Coast, 312-266-3110). Then, pop over to the restaurant itself for a special brunch Bomba burger topped with a fried egg and La Quercia bacon for $12 in celebration of the dish’s star turn, or grab a Bomba pizza for half-price through January 19.